Nurses Code of Conduct for Student Nurses and Midwives in the Clinicals
The following are expectations and professional standards for behavior that NMW students are held accountable for:
1. Respect other’s space and quiet time (i.e., no talking on cell phones while in clinical areas)
2. Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor when in the clinical setting
3. Accountability for preparation
4. Constructive verbal and non-verbal behavior
5. Caring for others in an empathetic manner
6. Honest, open, appropriately-assertive communication
7. Confidentiality of all patient information (e.g. use initials or pseudonyms when discussing cases)
8. Teamwork and helping behavior with colleagues
9. Honesty and integrity
10. Personal and professional ethics
11. Respect all individuals’ differences (i.e., culture, ethnicity, religion, work experience, gender, age, sexual orientation, etc.)
12. Respect for client, student, and preceptor privacy and confidentiality
13. Ask lots of questions – you are here to learn but occasionally preceptors may not be practicing by current guidelines. Current literature that is the basis for testing and your future practice, so make sure you understand the differences between what you are seeing and what is best evidence!
14. Use alternate resources to find answers to clinical questions (i.e. online books, other references). Sources may offer varying information.
15. Keep in mind that nurse-midwives are not clones and may have different ways to teach the same thing clinically. Open and professional communication will help both student and preceptors know when the teaching style is working and when it isn’t.
ALWAYS…
• Wear your name tag
• Wash your hands
• Take precautions against blood & body fluid exposures
